The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1887-06-15
FkOM STE


ern Muntara, and careful observations in
all directions, including those sections of
the Crow reservation thrown open to
stockmen the past rigorous winter, your
correspondent is of the opinion that the
losses in stock have been much overesti-
mated, the grass reserve of the eserva-
ton has proved a good result to stock
owners, and many Thousand cattle have
been saved by the humane course adopt
ed by agent williamson the past winter.
The Indians have realized about eigh-
teen thousand dollars, which has been
turned over to the department at Wash
ington for their benefit. The reserva-
ton, while very large. contains perhaps
as little good tillable land as any other
section of this great north west, of like
extent. The valleys of the Little Horn,
Big Horn and Pryor river being the
principal farming districts. with spots
here and there along the Yellowstone,
the streams mentioned furnishing water
for irrigation. The valley of the Pryor
river, from its mouth to Pryor gap, a
distance of forty-tive miles, is thickly
settled with Indian farmers. almost every
family having made substantial improves
ments in the way of houses, and in
many instances good stables, corrals and
pastures are found. Eacn family has
from one to two acres, and in some in
stances as much as five acres under a
good state of cultivation. Almost every
family has melons, potatoes and corn,
these articles being special favnrites
among them. The most industrious have
small fields of grain, oats and wheat.
The crops look neat and thrifty, and
promise Il good yield. No inigating
bitches have yet been constructed on
Pryor river, but the lands under c%nltiva.
| ton being on the low bottoms, which
are very rich and moist, will without
doubt yield an abundant crop Of vege-
tables, corn, etc. Those who have had
success the past two years are the best
| farmers, going to the field with the same
| regularity that the white farmer does,
looL;ry aaer al, the details. such as root
ho,,s.s ~ce,lors far The STORAGE or crons
with a roresipbt not expected in A nee.
n,a inst beoinn;pc IN learn proct;cab,e
| hushapdrv, chose lives have been spent
~gypsey.likc, in camp with no fixed place
of abode. The houses they occupy are
made of logs, are built almost entirely
by themselves, and average even better
in quality than thuse seen in any
frontier settlement of white
The idea that Indians cannot be civil
lied il simply ridiculous. The eff"rts of
Agent Williamson in this direction have
certainly been crowned with success, and
we believe, the first success made in this
direction in this country. Other tribes
have made a partial success. Large
farms have been opened at the different
agencies, and the Indians have become
partially self.sustaining by their owr
labors. but by this plan the Indians are
not fitted to become useful citizens. The
plan adopted by Agent Williamson com
mends itself to every thoughtful person
First. the Indian is made to understand
that every N stands upon an equa
footing. Tribal relations are to be brok
en- I'M. every family must occupy tn,
lands set apart for them by the govern
mcnt. cultivate and improve it. Tn,
fruits of the harvest bring his re
ward in this way: the Indian
learns self.dependence. The distribu
t;on of nroyisions. iuplements. clothin,
and seed ia equal, A chief receives II,
more than his moor neighbor, and th,
Indian in made to understand that tn
GREATEST chief in the yves of the agen
and the government will he the ma
who does tho most work, utilizes to tn
hest advantage that which is given hin
Inv the government: he who first become
s~elcsustaininp and can render the great
est assistance TO. and by his exampl
do.s most to elevate and improve III,
conditions of his fellow Indians. If thi
plan is strictly observed and carried Out
these Indians will in a few years lear
tn look with confidence to the govern
ment for protection when he obeys tn
laws and u%unishment wien they ar
broken.